BEING FIT

As Tony Buzan once said:

One of the biggest discoveries of the 20th
century was that the brain actually is part of the body. Now that sounds
facetious, however it hits the point that some people think somehow the brain
is not really part of the body, as if thinking is kind of removed from the
physical body.

In the 17th century people believed rubbing castor oil into the back of
your neck would help to increase your mental processes. Or putting on a beaver
skin cap. Or whatever idea you might come across. Today we believe: keep your body fit and that in turn will take care of
your brain. It is as simple as that.

Although your brain is only about 1% of your body weight, it uses up 20
– 25% of the oxygen. So keep the body fit, and that in turn will supply the
brain with enough oxygen.

Look at the grand-masters of memory, some call them mentathletes. All
of them keep their body fit. If there is a championship coming up (memory
championship that is) then these guys embark on a rigorous physical exercise
programme. Almost like training for a physical tournament. They found out the
body has to be in top form and then the brain will function at its peak as
well.

One good example may be this: In the 1990s Gary Kasparov was the absolute
chess champion. If you are not into chess you are excused if you think that ok,
those guys sit there, think a bit, make a couple of moves and that’s that. That
got nothing to do with physical fitness. Wrong. Absolutely wrong. During that
time Kasparov had a strict physical work-out regime. He spent three hours every
day in the gym, and only THEN went to the chessboard.

Convinced?

You don’t have to train like Kasparov, or like an olympic athlete.

General good fitness level is sufficient.

It may even act as a balance to sitting at the desk for prolonged
periods of time.

You may consider walking.

It is easy, doesn’t cost anything and is very
good for the body.

AND: during the walk you are exposed to many more stimuli
(colours, weather, birds singing, chit-chat).